Press Release

March 9, 2012
STAR SPANGLED BANNER COINS UNVEILED
Today at Fort McHenry officials unveiled two commemorative coins that will help to fund the Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. 
 
Senator Cardin and Congressman Ruppersberger sponsored legislation, signed into law by President Obama in August 2010, creating the coins that will help fund programs to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore. Starting Monday, the U.S. Mint will sell 100,000 gold coins and 500,000 silver coins. A portion of the funds will go to the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. 
 
“The War of 1812 is often referred to as the Second War of Independence and it deserves broad, national recognition,” said Senator Cardin. “These commemorative coins will help make it possible for Maryland and all Americans to celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the upcoming anniversary of the Battle of Baltimore in which the Star-Spangled Banner was composed. I want to be sure we honor and recognize one of the most important chapters in our nation’s early history.”
 
The gold coin design depicts a naval battle scene from the War of 1812 with an American sailing ship in the foreground and a damaged and fleeing British ship in the background. 
 
The silver coin has a “Battle of Baltimore” theme and depicts Lady Liberty waving the 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner flag with Fort McHenry in the background. 

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